Here's some money saving tips and hints that have helped me make this journey to good health more reasonable on the pocketbook I hope they help you too...

Food: Before weight loss surgery I'd fill up on cheap fillers like pasta, rice, and bread. Good quality protein sources cost more. I do love my Trader Joe's goodies but you can do healthy on the cheap too...

* Chicken (get whole versus boneless skinless) - roast it and divide up yourself or drop one in a crock pot all day, save & strain the broth for soups.

* Shop the sales and cut coupons. Flipp App (or website) lets you see all your local ads at once and make a shopping list. Hit the manufacturer websites, supermarket websites and request coupons some have downloadable ones online. Sign up for their email lists. Contact companies directly and ask for coupons or samples.

* If you have a freezer stock up when there is a great deal. Most foods freeze just fine.

Vitamins and protein powders are not cheap especially the tasty ones but you know I figure I'm saving all those Dr's office co-pays, lab fees and meds from all my co-morbidities that are resolved so it sort of balances out for me... and no they are not all created equal so just be sure whatever you are taking is meeting the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) 2016 Guidelines which are designed based on long-term studies and evidence for best outcomes.

* Ask your bariatric support group leader or surgeon's office to host a protein or vitamin swap. One man's yuck is another's yum. Bring those tubs and bottles that you just aren't feeling and trade them with other post-ops for their stash.

*Is there a flavor or brand you want to try but it's $$ go in together on a tub with a friend from support group, meet before, bring a container and split it.

New Wardrobe, Shoes, Jewelry Resizing: Don't buy too much too soon. I swore when I got to size 18/20 that was it... it was beyond my wildest dreams from a tight 28 so I went to town a bit and bought some beautiful outfits that I was in for about 2 weeks. Seriously. Single digit jeans now.

* See if your local weight loss support group has a clothing exchange if they don't... start one.

* Look in those mailer coupon books or the back of the phone book or online for jewelry resizing coupons and don't do this till you are at least a year out. I went from Size 11 ring finger to 6 1/2.

Exercise: Gym Memberships are expensive and let's face it a lot of us won't go as much as we should. Here are a few free (or almost free) ways to get moving...

* Exercise DVDs - Leslie Sansone has a great set of walking tapes you could probably get off eBay for dirt cheap. Hit your local library and borrow some. This is a great way to try before you buy. Start a monthly swap with friends.

* Go on local Facebook groups, Craigslist or Freecycle and put up a notice asking for home gym equipment. I just got rid of a gazelle machine on Freecycle I no longer wanted.

* Mall walk - some malls even have groups. If you think you might spend money leave your purse in the car trunk. When you go to the mall park the farthest away from the building you can (and still be safe.)

* Dance at home. Turn on some great tunes (Free Spotify) and get down. 3-4 songs = 10 minutes. Do this 3x a day (before breakfast, after dinner, before bed) and you'll have an extra 30-minute workout.

16 comments:

Many city parks and recreation departments have workout facilities. The ones in my city rival ANY for-profit venture and are cleaner and cheaper, to boot. The price is $65.00 per year, as opposed to hundreds for the commercial ones, and a little bit of ingenuity makes it possible to go when the crowds aren't so big.

Hello there, I found your site thru another blogger and am very impressed by all your great advice. I can't wait to try out some of your recipes. I am very excited to try the protein Ice creams that you make specially the Mint choco chip.. Yum!! Can you by chance tell me if you have ever tried making the ice cream using lactaid? I am sure it would work but I was just wondering.

You are such an inspiration, I am only 4 month along and hope that I do as well as you. Feel free to check out my blog sometime. Take care. ME-chele

Great tips! I don't own a gym membership, opting for bike rides and walking/hiking. I never buy clothing full price....always shop clearance sales (even at goal weight). Protein powders are much more economical than premixed (I save about $37/mo). Also, I make, rather than buy allot of "specialty" foods. Thanks, Shelly! You are an inspiration!!!!!

I got a bike from Craig's List for free! I also walk around the grocery store a lot longer than I used to. Park farther away at work, walk to the park and I walk my neighbor's dog! I have lost -112lbs. Great article!!!

Ask friends or family if they have workout dvd's or vhs tapes that they havent been using and have an exhange every couple of weeks. It gives you a chance to try something new without the commitment. Most people these days, if they aren't WLS patients they are more then likely "dieting" for something or other. Also, if you are going to pay to work out find something that you love, I am doing ballroom dancing. I knew that if I paid for a gym membership that I would never go so instead I dance and it ends up being my therapy and my workout!!! I love it!!!

I always want to post a caution when I see the "park far away from the door" at malls and strip centers. These are really dangerous places and it's not really a good idea to park out in the boonies. Pay attention to the lighting and your surroundings because you are at your most vulnerable during the time you are walking to and from your car.

When we decided to move after retirement, we chose a neighborhood that had an Olympic-sized pool that costs us nothing to use. We decided we wanted to live close enough to the pool that we could go every day if we wanted to, so we looked at houses within a 6-mile radius. That was 7 years ago and we are still happy with our decision. Of course, not everyone loves to swim, but if you're planning a move, think about your fitness needs when you choose where you'll live.

About Me

I had my guts rearranged (aka Weight Loss Surgery, RNY gastric bypass surgery June 2006) This blog is basically me rambling about my world. I also post recipes that I've adapted to make weight loss surgery friendly.
I love to cook.
I have always loved to cook. It's my creative outlet. I was scared that having weight loss surgery would put an end to my days in the kitchen but happily it did not. I actually get to be even more creative by analyzing a favorite recipe and seeing where I can make changes to make a healthier version of a pre-op favorite.

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